®                                       

2003 Marius Single Vineyard Shiraz

2003 was a difficult, low-yielding vintage in the vineyard due to drought conditions followed by late heavy rain and berry splitting .  We hand-picked the fruit during the fourth week of March at less than  2 tonnes per acre.

Grape variety: 100% Shiraz

Region: 100% McLaren Vale, South Australia

Oak Maturation:  19 months in 40% French and 60% American oak, about 40% new and 60% second-use.

Production:  494 cases

Closure:  The wine was bottled in screwcap (Stelvin) so that you may cellar it with confidence.

Colour:  I always have trouble with this - even darker than the 2002!

Bouquet:  This is very early days as the wine was bottled in the fourth week of January 2005 but those luscious dark fruits are starting to emerge after a little time in the glass.

Palate:  The palate displays blackberry, plums, aniseed, white pepper and that trade mark Marius silky mouth-feel. On the back palate the fruit intensifies and is accompanied by a fair hit of chocolate and chalky tannins.  The finish is really quite intense and lingering.

This wine is characterised by flavour, texture, mouth feel and a perfect balance between the fruit and the oak which I believe will ensure continued development of further complexity for many years.

Price:  $275 per dozen case delivered free in mainland Australia

Roger Pike